NEW YORK -- The Seattle Mariners enter Tuesday's series opener against the New York Yankees in complete survival mode. The M's, at 56-63, are one of the most disappointing teams in baseball despite the winnability of the American League West this season.

They have lost four straight games, have scored just four runs in those games, and have been shut out in two of the last six games. Seattle is 4.5 games back in the division - a division they won last season with a 90-72 record.

If they are going to salvage what's left of this season over the final 43 games, they are going to need some sparks from all around their clubhouse. They'll need guys they've counted on to play to the backs of their baseball cards, guys they haven't counted to step up and minor leaguers who aren't even here yet to likely play a role.

Getting those sparks got a little tougher on Tuesday, as Josh Naylor isn't in the lineup for Game 1 of the series with the Yankees, who are currently in possession of an American League wild card spot. Manager Dan Wilson said Naylor is battling right wrist soreness.

He would not confirm his availability for the rest of the series, saying only that they hope to have him back on Wednesday for Game 2.

In the first year of a $92.5 million deal signed last offseason, Naylor has had a disappointing season overall. Though he's hitting a respectable .263, he has just 10 home runs and 42 RBIs. He has stolen 23 bases, which has helped him to a 102 OPS+.

The Mariners are facing tough lefty Ryan Weathers, which means that Weston Wilson will get the start at first base. Brendan Donovan is in the lineup at third base.

--Carlos Vargas took the mound for Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday as he continues to work back from a lat injury that has cost him the entire season. He threw a scoreless fourth inning for the Rainiers. He did allow two hits and recorded a strikeout.

--Matt Brash is getting closer to a rehab assignment, but it doesn't sound imminent. He's also battling an arm injury that was sustained in June. Wilson said he is "touching the slope," meaning he's making some throws from the mound area, but nothing that he's doing resembles a "bullpen."

--Expect Bryan Woo to look to establish the fastball on Tuesday, something he did very well in his last start, which was 7.0 scoreless innings against the Detroit Tigers.

The most recent 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast is out, featuring Lyle and TJ from the Marine Layer Podcast. You can listen here or you can watch in the YouTube player below.